Youth Leader·Athlete·Entrepreneur·Writer
Don't wait for a voice.
Become one.
Nice to meet you.
I am a young Romanian at the intersection of performance sport, innovation and civic engagement - I build projects with real social impact, and I study at the Romanian-Finnish High School in Bucharest.
Five threads, one direction.
Sport
I have played competitive basketball for over 13 years - and now I coach, too.
Leadership
I sit on the UNICEF Children's Board and the Bucharest Children's Advisory Council.
Innovation
I founded HANDIFY and build interactive media-literacy tools.
Writing
I write bilingual op-eds on youth, sport, fairness and mental health.
Impact
Volunteering, advocacy and projects I build to help others.
Talent is everywhere. Opportunity shouldn't be a privilege.
This conviction shapes everything I write and every project I build for my generation.
Things I've built.
HANDIFY
HANDIFY is a smart-glove startup I founded: a wearable that replaces the computer mouse with natural hand gestures, making everyday computing more intuitive and accessible. The project reached the National Final of GEN-E 2026, the entrepreneurship competition run by Junior Achievement.
See the project → Media literacy · Double winnerThe Fake News Factory
An interactive project that teaches teenagers how online manipulation works - by letting them build a fake story themselves, then exposing the techniques. Double winner: the Mème la vérité 2026 competition (Freedom House Romania) and the Grant My Passion 2026 Better World grant (McDonald's Romania).
See the project → Diversity & inclusionI Belong
An interactive lab on belonging in schools: you design a school, make six decisions, and discover that systems - not children - decide who belongs. Selected as a national finalist at the DI_PLOMA AWARDS 2026 - the Diversity & Inclusion Awards run by the Puternici prin Diversitate și Incluziune (OPEN MINDS) Association.
See the project → Online safety · EducationSmart Online = Safe Offline
A free cybersecurity programme I teach in schools across Bucharest & Ilfov, built around a 200-slide guide that helps teenagers navigate the digital world safely.
See the project →The essentials.
Questions, answered.
Who is Nicholas Carstoiu?
I'm a Romanian youth leader, student-athlete, writer and student entrepreneur. I combine performance sport, innovation and civic engagement, and I'm a member of the UNICEF Romania Children's Board.
What projects has Nicholas founded?
I founded HANDIFY, a smart glove and GEN-E 2026 National Finalist, and I created the media-literacy projects The Fake News Factory and I Belong, as well as the school programme Smart Online = Safe Offline.
What does Nicholas write about?
I write bilingual op-eds on youth leadership, education, sport and social impact, including youth mental health and equal access to opportunity.
How can Nicholas be contacted?
Through the contact section of this website, by email, or via my LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook profiles.
What are Nicholas's passions?
On and off the court, I live for basketball and for the speed and strategy of Formula 1. I love music, I'm fascinated by cybersecurity, and I have a soft spot for fine fragrances and action films. I'm happiest travelling abroad and by the sea.
How does Nicholas believe he can change the world?
Sport taught me that talent without opportunity stays on the bench - and that no team wins by leaving its weakest player behind. I believe the world changes the way a game is won: not through one hero, but through people who show up, do the unglamorous work, and pass the ball so someone else can score. My aim is to build systems - projects, platforms and a fairer playing field - where a child's chances depend on their effort, not their address. To me, change is a team sport, played one honest action at a time.
For partnerships, media and academic opportunities.